The rise of social media has been considered the source of many of society’s maladies, such as depression, polarisation of politics, and a general decline in people’s well-being. While it’s easier to blame society’s ills on the newest phenomena, Ian Leslie argues that many of these supposed negative effects were on the rise decades prior to social media. He’s more inclined to pin these on the long-term decline of organised religion, as multiple studies have shown that religious people are more likely to have higher well-being. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
